HC Deb 15 November 1978 vol 958 cc264-5W
Mrs. Wise

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many amniocentesis tests on pregnant women have been carried out in the Coventry area; in how many of those cases the results indicated a handicapped foetus; how many women were offered amniocentesis tests but declined to have them; and how many women with positive amniocentesis tests results opted to have a termination of pregnancy.

Mr. Moyle

I regret that this information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate time and cost.

No advice on the provision of amniocentesis has been issued by my Department pending the receipt of the report of the working group on neural tube defects.